Almost Free Decorating

Decorating for free is possible, but not always so easy. Taking a free item and making it into something new and usable usually takes a little work. We are always looking for free items we can use around here. Instead looking at something and trying to think of what it could become, I think of what I need, and then see what I have that can possibly be what I need. For instance, I wanted a smaller TV cabinet and thought about the size it should be, then began to look for pieces that were about that size or could be made to that size. It would need shelves and I wanted doors too. And what do I always say? Use what you already have!

The old cabinet, very big, very dark! 

Remember last year when we had new carpet installed to replace that very blue carpet we had? While the house was empty of furniture I was really enjoying the lightness and brightness everywhere, mostly due to the lighter carpet.

Here's that blue carpet! So glad it's gone!

 When my husband started to put our old entertainment center back in it's place I stopped him. He made our entertainment center and it was something I thought we would use forever; but it was made for a larger house than this one. It was massive and went almost to the ceiling. With a new flat screen TV (thank you Mom Nelson:), we didn't need such deep cabinets and when your rooms are small scaling down furniture makes a big difference. My husband agreed we could relocate the big dark entertainment center he had made years ago.

A couple of weeks earlier, my husband had helped someone remove their old kitchen cabinets and he brought home some of the upper cabinets. The cabinets looked horrible, they were covered in white plastic laminate; they were tall and had smoked glass doors. He planned to put them in his shop for storage. I thought a section could work for a new TV cabinet as they were a good size and had the shelves I wanted and the glass doors were a plus too.  We removed the laminate and with the doors off hubby sanded well to remove the glue. 

We moved the cabinets into place to make sure the size would work. With the floor covered in plastic we began the painting with flat interior house paint. I chose a blue color that would blend in with my grey green walls so the cabinet would not visually intrude as much into the space like a contrasting color would. 

Hubby cut a couple of holes in the cabinet back for cords and plugs. After drying time I coated the flat paint with a clear acrylic water base sealer. Using flat paint instead of egg shell or satin finish gives a surface that won't stick to things that are placed on it; a problem with most painted furniture. Flat paint also drys much faster. A sealer then gives it a stain resistant washable finish. It is very much like chalk paint and a lot cheaper.

The cabinet was free but I did buy a quart of paint for it. I used rectangular paintings to mimic the shape of the doors to complete the composition on that wall. I couldn't get back far enough to take a good pic but here it is and I am so much happier with this look! 

I love it! Have you remade something free into something you could use?

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